AKHA TRIBE OF BURMA

On the Thai border a small village of families still embroiled in the opium trade live in vernacular homes. The homes are characterised by fire, with cooking and dining spaces on the open ground floor; livestock is also kept here, and above are a small living space and several bedrooms. Sleeping above the smoking fire keeps the occupants warm during the cold nights, but the smoke can be suffocating for those not used to the arrangement. The members of the family depicted here are the father and son of the village chief. The father is suffering from asthma in his old age. Sleeping below the light streaming in from the east on a very cold morning, he is made comfortable by a large collection of blankets and duvets.